On History and Pressure

The jugular
(Photo credit to PBA.Inquirer.net)

Coach Alex Compton erred when he said that the pressure was not on his Alaska Aces but rather the defending champions, Coach Leo Austria and his San Miguel Beermen.

See, when news broke out that the Beermen would be going into the PBA Philippine Cup Finals minus 2x PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo, which is currently tied at three games apiece with the deciding Game 7 to be held Wednesday, no one had them winning versus the number one seeded Aces. Most experts, bloggers and amateur social media commentators were raving about the Aces’ teamwork and hustle, which could only be thwarted by the giant presence the 6”10 Cebuano. Take him out of the game and suddenly, the Beermen find themselves on even ground as the Aces man for man—only, the latter has been playing on a high level together for so long under Compton from guys 1 through 15 while the Beermen pretty much run everything, offense or defense, through their big man.


In my mind, the Aces (whoever- the players, staff, management or fans) put the pressure on themselves somewhat by probably wanting to avenge that painful sweep they suffered in the PBA Governor’s Cup just a conference ago. A sweep for a sweep. When the Beermen made sure that the Aces would not be able to return serve in Game 4, it was pretty much a gutsy stand by proud yet wounded champions. When Fajardo came back in Game 5 and dominated even at 60-70% mobility, it caught the Aces off-guard. In Game 6 the Aces were simply outmatched and outclassed by a Beermen side that was running on all cylinders and not just Fajardo-watching on offense.

It wasn’t the referees or bum calls that allowed the Beermen to win three straight and extend this series to a winner-take-all Game 7.

It was the Aces’ uncharacteristic naivety that got the best of them.

Vic Manuel was supernatural in Games 1 to 3. The Beermen had no answer for him. He was basically the Aces’ version of the Beermen’s Fajardo—wreaking havoc in the paint, which in turn allowed everyone else to get in a rhythm. Even in Game 4 the Beermen still didn’t have an answer for Manuel, but they soon clamped down on everyone else—basically giving the Aces a dose of their own medicine in how they would usually play the Beermen.

Then Fajardo came back. And the tables turned. Not because Fajardo was unstoppable and putting up 40-20s, but because everyone else was already in a rhythm and all Fajardo had to do was score a basket or two here and there. Yancy de Ocampo should be credited for a lot of the Beermen’s success, since he gave the team an entirely different look that not even Fajardo could provide (someone who actually kicks the ball out of the post).

Did the Aces take the Beermen for granted?

We wouldn’t say they did, since we all know that this team prides itself in preparation, discipline and hard-work.

Is the pressure really on the Beermen?

Why? They were supposed to lose this series from the start anyway. And even if we are to play Game 7 on Wednesday, Fajardo is still not at his 100%. Truth be told, the Beermen did their fans proud by prolonging the series, win or lose.

Can they make history?

Sure. We honestly believe they can. During the preseason we were already entertaining- no, celebrating #grandslam talks. Great if they win, but again, if they lose, there is always next conference. Next season. Fajardo is what, 26 years old?

We are pretty sure that the SMC big bosses would take numerous championships in the next three to five years over a single grand slam season. Fans too.

To win, the Aces need to regroup.

JVee Casio, Dondon Hontiveros and lately, Cyrus Baguio have all been in a funk. We honestly don’t know why Eric Menk is starting at power forward at this point, but okay.

Manuel and Calvin Abueva need help. Chris Banchero and Ping Exciminiano have been answering the call, but the minutes have been rather scant, if any.

The Aces gave up so much by letting Gabby Espinas go, indirectly for Noy Baclao, who's been pretty soft versus Fajardo. Not that Espinas would've stopped the giant, but he'd at least use every dirty trick in the book to make it tough.

To win, the Beermen need to just keep sharing the basketball and trusting one another.

They have opened up their playbook and given more minutes to de Ocampo, Espinas and Chris Lutz who have been delivering in this series. They don’t really need Fajardo to come up with a 40 20 game. Just enough to keep the Aces guessing where the next attack is going to come from.

Who do you think will win #Game7 @kilikilishot